G Loomis for Bass

Sage for Fly Fishing (trout & steelhead)

Tackle Industries for Musky

Croix and Dobyns

Whenever the rods price point exceeds $200 you can and should look into a custom build researching current rod blanks, guide trains, handles etc and above all customer satisfaction plus warranty. Off the shelf rods always make compromises to satisfy a wide range of users. Have the rod built exactly the way you want it with state of the art materials/ components.

Been doing this the past 35 years.

Tom

Whenever the rods price point exceeds $200 you can and should look into a custom build researching current rod blanks, guide trains, handles etc and above all customer satisfaction plus warranty. Off the shelf rods always make compromises to satisfy a wide range of users. Have the rod built exactly the way you want it with state of the art materials/ components.

Been doing this the past 35 years.

Tom

 

I agree, but would even say the $100 mark is when you should start looking at custom.  You could conceivably get the exact same components (or equivalent) in a $100 rod; add the cost of building it, and come out at about the same price, but end up with a much better rod.

It has been stated several times by some of the builders on the forum that it would be difficult to build a custom rod for less than $150. In addition to components and materials you have their shipping costs and rod building charges. These two alone equal a minimum of $75 ($25 for shipping and $50 for them to build it). I would bet anything you couldn't get a custom rod $100 unless the above to variables are far less... IE free shipping or they build it for basically for fun.

I could never get a custom rod quote for under $150 for something "decent". As WRB noted once you get to the $200 point a custom rod is more in play.

Loomis for bottom contact and Megabass for versatility

Any rod that does the job and isn't overpriced.

...and feels good in your hands...

Powell 

St croix,duckett, phenix are my starting 3 but recently picked up some tatulas and are liking them alot

Kistler Rods and by far. They have a ridiculously huge selection.

Whenever the rods price point exceeds $200 you can and should look into a custom build researching current rod blanks, guide trains, handles etc and above all customer satisfaction plus warranty. Off the shelf rods always make compromises to satisfy a wide range of users. Have the rod built exactly the way you want it with state of the art materials/ components.

Been doing this the past 35 years.

Tom

Amen Tom!

 

I agree, but would even say the $100 mark is when you should start looking at custom.  You could conceivably get the exact same components (or equivalent) in a $100 rod; add the cost of building it, and come out at about the same price, but end up with a much better rod.

Yes very true!! Look at you!

 

It has been stated several times by some of the builders on the forum that it would be difficult to build a custom rod for less than $150. In addition to components and materials you have their shipping costs and rod building charges. These two alone equal a minimum of $75 ($25 for shipping and $50 for them to build it). I would bet anything you couldn't get a custom rod $100 unless the above to variables are far less... IE free shipping or they build it for basically for fun.

I could never get a custom rod quote for under $150 for something "decent". As WRB noted once you get to the $200 point a custom rod is more in play.

Unfortunately its the builders that are at fault on this.. But in their defense, it takes roughly 2+ hours per rod, and that is if your humming and run into no problems. 

But that being said.. Here is one of our vendors: http://www.getbitoutdoors.com/rod-building-kits/complete-rod-kits/complete-casting-kits.html 

They have a whole kit for under $50.00 Im sure that a rod builder could build a bass kit for under $75.00!! So there $125.00

That link provides no information? The message "Whoops are bad" shows up

I'm a big St. Croix fan. But I must admit that there are plenty of brands I haven't tried yet, Dobyns being one of them. So I want to try more before I truly dedicate myself to the brand.

5 Denali
2 Castaway and Abu Garcia

I would have to say Daiwa and Falcon

Been getting a few Fin-Nor rods from a local discount retailer. Bought the first one for grins and giggles, but I'm starting to like them a lot.

Solid and tough. The fast action MH has been a great rod.

JDM

Phenix

All Loomis  

Suprised at the amount of Croix's I have 2 and they are nothing special but they are just the Avids maybe I need to try one of their high end models. For me Loomis,MB,EverGreen,Phoenix and I want to try Major Craft and something on a Rainshadow blank, which I guess will have to be custom. Someone mentioned Tigerodz, is that just a custom builder?

8 St Croixs, 1 Shimano, 1 Dobyns.

All Shimano reels.

St Croix and Dobyns. 

 

I haven't owned any high end GLoomis, but I'm sure they would fit in there if I did.

St Croix

Abu Garcia and St Croix

Falcon for me. I do have a couple of older US made Castaways that I still use because I've spent some money getting new guides put on.

 

Never broke a Falcon and the one or two little issues I've ever had with a rod they repaired without hassle.  Also I've been able to get a couple of discontinued Caras for a great price directly through them.